KennethBow's Blog

Joel

Introduction

Is a natural disaster an act of God? When earthquakes strike, or famines continue, are these the acts of God or are they just the result of life on planet earth? This Theist verses Deist argument has been around for 2500 years. Plato and his school discussed this ad infinitum. The prophet Joel had no hesitation. He boldly proclaimed this was God working among men. 

The book of Joel is about a locust invasion. A swarm of locusts that covered the land and destroyed everything in sight. Joel’s vision was God leading these locusts into battle like a General leads his troops (2.11). Joel encouraged the priests to call a national day of prayer and fasting to lead the people back to God. He promised if the people would return to God they would eat in plenty (2.26). Joel proposed this disaster could bring a backslidden nation back to God.

It was an uphill task for God’s prophet. Joel’s vision was that God’s people would love God all the time, not just in times of disaster. It is human nature to turn to God in times of great tragedy. This book is an eternal appeal to all mankind to love God in the times of prosperity, and in the times of dearth.

It begins with the plague of locusts, and moves to the call for repentance. The day of the Lord is coming and the prophet is calling for men to turn back to God. One of the greatest promises of the Bible is in this small book. It is the promise of the coming Spirit of God being poured out on all flesh. This would happen centuries in the future on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. The prophecy then moves on to the judgment of Judah’s enemies and the future eternal blessings on God’s people.

This small book of three chapters covers some of the most profound questions mankind has asked throughout history. The conclusion is succinct and powerful. Whether it’s is a swarm of locusts, or nuclear war, God is in control. Turn to God and your future will be blessed and secure.

Chapter 1

1.1-3 the prophet gives his ancestry as the son of Pethuel, which means enlarged of God. He calls to the aged among the people to see if anyone remembers such a plague as they now experience? He encourages them to not let this moment be forgotten in the generations to come.

1.4-12 the devastation is documented. The terms of four destroying insects are offered. These are the palmerworm, the locust, the cankerworm and the caterpillar. These also represent the stages of the plague and the results. First there was a worm, then a grown locust that left behind eggs that would hatch again and bring yet another plague of young locusts. This vivid imagery was poignant to farmers for all future crops were in jeopardy. They would no sooner get one crop grown before the eggs gave birth to new young hordes of locusts and the cycle repeated itself again. The cycle would never end. This was the story of the people of God over the last six hundred years of Israel’s history. The image of revolving failure was stark for the people to see. The total loss of meats, fig trees, corn, wine, wheat and barley, and pomegranates reflect the loss of joy in the hearts of the populace. They were facing a hopeless future.

1.13-20 the prophet starts with the answer; the priests. Joel calls the ministry to lament and howl and fast. The hunger is a result of the spiritual famine and leaving God. The natural disaster is a mirror of what has happened to the nation spiritually. The seed is rotten, the barns are broken down, and the beasts have no pasture. The future is bleak unless the people turn back to their God.

Thanks for reading today……

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1.1-3 We are not privy to know which Obadiah in the scripture this is, or if he is any of those listed in the Bible. The importance here is not the messenger, but rather the message. God does not leave out or hide details to be evasive. God chooses to put in the details He sees necessary. The issue is concerning Edom, the lineage of Esau. As Edom rises to battle against his brother Israel, God rises to battle against Edom. God made Edom small and despised. God exposed the pride of Edom’s heart to the world. God pulled away Edom’s bogus safety of the high craggy cliffs of Petra. Edom has ascended not only the rocky heights of Petra, but like Lucifer he climbed the heights of pride. This pinnacle will always cause a fall.
1.4-6 By man’s standard Esau’s descendants were very high and secure. By God’s standard, they were just another foolish pride to be cast down. The almighty lets them know his battle with them will leave no prisoners and give no quarter. Thieves or robbers would not utterly destroy, they would only take the valuables. God needs no valuables. God is not there to plunder. If men were gathering grapes, they would leave some behind. God has no such intentions. God has tolerated this feud for generations and now the judgment falls. One of the most poetic and focused moments in scripture is penned by an unknown author in an unknown time. “How are the things of Esau searched out?” The original language speaks of secret things. This goes far beyond visible things. Esau is about to be removed forever. The only thing left will be a vague memory of a once proud people.

1.7-9 the striping of Edom will include his confederates. Those he sought laughter and solace in will now oppose him and Edom will feel the lash of their derision. Edom is now going to feel the stab in the back he has subjected Jacob to. Jesus confirmed this in His teaching, “with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged”. The wise and mighty men of Edom are now cut off by slaughter and a violent death.

1.10-14 the violence you have dispensed now overwhelms you Edom. You drink of the cup you have served for generations. The sword you wielded will now execute you. God documents His verdict on Edom. Edom stood by and watched as his brother Jacob was attacked and bloodied. This points to our obligation to help our brother. This is illustrated in the New Testament by the parable of the good samaritan. Jesus asked the pointed question “who is my neighbor”. God set down a principal that if you refuse to help your brother when he is in need you are not absolved of guilt. The calamity of a brother reaches into our realm of responsibility. We are our brother’s keeper.

1.15-16 divine retribution continues to be the pronounced edict of God on Edom. As you have done to others, so shall it be done to you. The day has come, judgment has arrived. Edom chose their reward by how they lived. This is the universal principal of God. Man chooses his judgment, God only pronounces it. You will drink what you have served others.

1.17-18 the promise of Jacob’s triumph. After centuries of letting the scales seem out of balance, God now reassures the world judgment will arrive in due time. It will flow from God’s chosen people. Esau and all his offspring will eventually be usurped by Jacob and his offspring. Jacob will be a fire and Esau will be stubble, and none shall remain of the house of Esau.

1.19-20 the spoil of war will be bequeathed upon Jacob’s offspring. The final verdict is pronounced. Edom you are forever judged, Jacob you are forever blessed. 

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Obadiah

Introduction

This book, like others in sacred canon, is sometimes looked at and pondered. It would be more plausible if it contained world views or clashing armies with world changing moments. Instead it is about a feud between two brothers that spans hundreds of years. So the question arises, why is this in the Bible? What eternal truth was so valuable that God said every generation needs to read this and adjust their life to be saved? The Bible is our roadmap to get to heaven and each book and chapter serves that purpose in some manner. So how does the story of twin brothers in a life long feud serve millenniums of pilgrims headed for a celestial city?

To add to the mystic, the author is anonymous. There is no certainty who he is for sure. Then add to the conundrum the date of the writing. It is also uncertain. We are left with the simple concept that God felt this scroll was important. This book is an important detail to the overall body of the Bible. It is the shortest book in the Bible. The author can be anyone from a King’s courier and temple confidant, to an unknown person. The message God is sending seems to be, focus on the content, not the container.

These twins, Jacob and Esau, struggled in their mothers womb. Even in their birth there was conflict with Jacob holding his brother’s heel. Throughout their life this open conflict continued. The details are recorded in the sacred canon. This book details how God views such issues. In the larger span of life, this conflict speaks to universal man. Life is a conflict. How we react and interact with that conflict determines not only our eternal salvation, but also our quality of life. The depth of the Bible is ever about layers of truth. Never more so than in this brief interlude in your daily reading. How you react to your brother is important to God. God documents your secret thoughts and and all your insidious motives. This is the far reaching meaning of this smallest of books. God watches if you rejoice when your brother struggles. God is documenting the moment if you assist in your brother’s demise. Just as God wrote down the motives and machinations of Esau and his lineage, He is documenting ours as well. The resounding echo of this small compendium is that we live carefully and cognizant of this. Jesus emphatically stated, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

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This was shared with me, I do not know who wrote it. Very sobering. 

Temptation Says, ‘Feed Me So I Can Destroy You’

Giving in to temptation can destroy you.

“I destroy homes, tear families apart, take your children, and that’s just the start. I’m more costly than diamonds, more costly than gold; the sorrow I bring is a sight to behold … Just try me once and I might let you go, but try me twice, and I’ll own your soul.

“When I possess you, you’ll steal and you’ll lie. You do what you have to just to get high. … You’ll lie to your mother; you’ll steal from your dad. When you see their tears, you should feel sad. But you’ll forget your morals and how you were raised, I’ll be your conscience; I’ll teach you my ways.
“I take kids from parents, and parents from kids, I turn people from God, and separate from friends. I’ll take everything from you, your looks and your pride. I’ll be with you always, right by your side … I’ll take and take, till you have nothing more to give. When I’m finished with you, you’ll be lucky to live.
“If you try me, be warned this is no game. If given the chance, I’ll drive you insane. I’ll ravish your body; I’ll control your mind. I’ll own you completely; your soul will be mine.
“The nightmares I’ll give you while lying in bed, the voices you’ll hear from inside your head, the sweats, the shakes, the visions you’ll see; I want you to know, these are all gifts from me.
“But then it’s too late, and you’ll know in your heart, that you are mine, and we shall not part. You’ll regret that you tried me, they always do, but you came to me, not I to you.
“You knew this would happen. Many times you were told, but you challenged my power, and chose to be bold. You could have said no and just walked away. If you could live that day over now what would you say?
“I’ll be your master; you will be my slave, I’ll even go with you, when you go to your grave. Now that you have met me, what will you do? Will you try me or not? It’s all up to you. I can bring you more misery than words can tell. Come take my hand, let me lead you to hell”
I pray we all avoid temptation….thanks for reading today.

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Revelation is communication by divine knowledge.

Revelation once experienced, can never be taken from you, it is your’s forever.

To forsake your revelation leaves you reprobate.

Revelation changed Peter from a reed to a rock.

Revelation gives you keys (Peter), keys that unlock your past, your present and your future.

Revelation brings blessings.

Revelation on Oneness, New Birth, Finances, Holiness, Relationships, personal devotion; we need all these.

It was now 70 years since Jesus ascended. In Ephesus lives an old old man. He is the last living Apostle. Things have changed. Every other Apostle is dead. Peter, Andrew, James, Matthew, Barthalomew, Thaddeus, Thomas, Judas the son of Alphaeus, Judas Iscariot, Philip, and Simon the Caanitite, all gone. He is left alone, the sole survivor, and eyewitness.

Jerusalem is gone. Ground under the iron heel of Titus now some 30 years ago. His home, his family, all destroyed and scattered during the Roman conquest in 70 AD.

It has been an incredible journey.

The day of pentecost, the church, the early glory and turmoil, thousands converted, all behind him now.

The miracle at gate beautiful, the jailing, the Sanhedrin, Annanias and Sapphira, the journeys of Paul and the gentile conversions, all in the past.

Then Patmos, and the writing of Revelation.

Now he is at Ephesus. He is old and weak and feeble.

They carry him to the church each Sunday, he raises his frail hand and quotes “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another”.

Though the other 10 missed that when Jesus said it that night 70 years ago, he got it and became the Apostle of love. He mentions love more than all the other Apostles combined.

To him it was a revelation, and 70 years had not dimmed the glow of that night in the upper room with Jesus at the last supper.

Now the young disciples come to him. He asks, how are the saints? Good, John. How is the condition of the church? You are my eyes and my ears. They look at one another, unsure of how much to say. They stare at the ground and stammer, not wanting to upset him. How do they tell him what is being battled out in pulpits across Asia and Macedonia?

The winds of false doctrine have become howling hurricanes that threaten the church.

He senses their evasion. He pointedly says, what is it?

His most loyal and longtime protege answers. Elder, some are saying Jesus never lived. They are saying he was just a Phantom. They are preaching that God is holy and good and our flesh is weak and tainted, so He would never live in a human body. I am sorry John to upset you.

What? John is outraged! What do they call this, this, nonsense.

The young man answers, they are calling it gnosticism.

With quivering lip and tears in his eyes he says bring me a quill and parchment.

He picks up his quill and with no preamble, no introduction, begins to write…..

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

This old man and cousin of Jesus is ready to fight.

The young man waits until John has calmed some and then says there is more Elder, much more.

They are saying that Jesus and the father were not the same person. They say that the father and son are separate.

With steel in his eyes John looks at them and remembers the afternoon over 70 years ago when Jesus said Peter, James and John, come with me. You others wait here.

John remembers the climb to the top of Hermon. The trail, it was like yesterday in his mind.

He remembers the transfiguration, the moment, the voice speaking, and he lifts the quill, dips it in ink, and writes.

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

On that day 70 years ago, John had received a revelation, and revelations last a lifetime!

What has been preached must become a revelation, not a sermon, not a temporary encouragement, but a life enduring revelation.

You must climb the mountain of Revelation.

In an attempt to make sure you never forget you must have a revelation that lasts a lifetime.

We need a revelation today more than ever before.

Thanks for reading today…

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3 John

Introduction. This short epistle is a companion book to 2 John. In 2 John, the Elder, John, had warned against entertaining false teachers. In this short personal letter he applauds a man named Gaius for warmly welcoming genuine Christian leaders. These Christian acts had been criticized by a man named Diotrephes who was also gossiping against John. These two letters 2 John and 3 John deal with heresy and church splits. This has proven to be a recurring problem in every generation. Though small, these two books are important in teaching believers how to deal with these two factions of error that arise in any church. John gives the remedy for these dangers. He urges love and discernment. Believers must know whom to accept and whom to reject. Welcome true believers with open arms and hospitality. Close the door of welcome and fellowship to all who deny Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh.

Author: John the Apostle

Date: 90AD

Place: Ephesus

1.1 wellbeloved. What an honor to be called wellbeloved by John. Gaius must have been extraordinary or have earned this level of honor and respect. John had known all the members of the early church. To receive this moniker speaks multitudes of Gaius. John loves him in the truth. John again sets the criteria for fellowship and hospitality. Gaius has been faithful to the truth. The truth was too valuable to John to trust it to unfaithful men.

1.2 health. John wishes for Gaius’ health to be as whole as his spiritual health. John is showing the Christian love he teaches others to have. The greatest teachers are those who live their creeds.

1.3 truth. John rejoices in things that are eternal. Truth never dies. When John received the news of Gaius love for truth it caused him to rejoice. True leaders value their disciples maintaining truth above all other characteristics.

1.4 joy. The joy John experienced was to know that truth was being passed on to the next generation. Rejoiced here means to be full of cheer. There must have been a big smile that crossed John’s face when informed of Gaius’ love for the truth.

1.5 faithfully. John’s commendation means Gaius was trustworthy. Gaius had not just been faithful to the brethren, but also to strangers or guests. The issue in this letter is the same as 2 John. The issue is when and how to entertain people who claim to be New Testament believers. In this Gaius had excelled.

1.6 charity. Gaius charity (love) had been witnessed by those who had been the beneficiary of his love. Gaius was a living example of John’s life long sermon about love one another. Gaius charity had now been spoken of in the church.

1.7 gain. The name of Jesus had provided a fellowship of believers so that the travelers did not have to receive anything from Gentiles who were not part of the church.

1.8 receive. John is encouraging the church and Gaius to receive these believers and assist them in the love of Jesus Christ. To help these travelers was to help the truth. This reflects back to when Jesus told his disciples when you do this unto the least of these you do it unto me, Mt 25.40.

1.9-10 Diotrephes. Diotrephes was a gentile whose name means brought up by Jupiter. This man loved the preeminence (being first). John had written unto the church but Diotrephes must have not received John’s communique. It must have gone so far as prating (babbler) speaking malicious (hurtful) words against John. Diotrephes was not content (to raise a barrier). This dissenter was creating division in the church. He was not receiving the brethren and was forbidding those that would. This is an egregious affront to the truth John is teaching and advocating about love. Diotrephes had actually cast people from the church when they followed the teaching of John.

1.11 evil. John plainly says these kind of acts by Diotrephes are evil (worthless, depraved). John is using his Apostolic position to plainly say do not follow this kind of division in the church. He that doeth good is of God, he that doeth evil hath not seen God, is a strong indictment against Diotrephes.

1.12 Demetrius. John now directs the church to follow Demetrius who has a good report of all men, but more importantly of the truth itself. John gives his endorsement of Demetrius and appeals to his own reputation as being true.

1.13-14 John concludes by letting them know he has more to say, but chooses not to write these things down but will speak when they are together. John encourages Gaius to greet the friends by name. The family of believers were dear to each other and John sends his greetings. This letter and the epistle of James are the only epistles to conclude without amen.

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2 John

Introduction. Every generation has faced unique circumstances in the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This was evident in the years 2 John was penned. Travel was convenient due to the great system of Roman roads. These roads made travel easier. There were still dangers of robbers and thieves, but the travel was common and frequent. This posed an opportunity for false teachers to circulate among New Testament believers easily. To add to the problem of leaven (false doctrine), entering the church, was where a traveler would lodge. There were no modern hotels as we know them today. There were occasional Inns. It was common for the family of God in the New Testament to lodge with believers. There was a network that traveling believers utilized to travel safely and also have fellowship with other believers. This presented a golden opportunity for false teachers to gain access into the privacy of believers homes under the guise of a brother. This problem had become so prevalent that the aged apostle John was summoned by the Holy Spirit to write a warning of this spreading spiritual malaise. False teachers such as the Gnostics hit the circuit and spread their false doctrine. Other people used the homes of believers for free food and lodging while posing as a believer.

2 John and 3 John address this situation. They are short letters of instruction to guide the church in these matters in the closing years of the first century. The church had been around now for approximately 60 years and these practical teachings were increasingly necessary. 2 John is addressed to a particular lady who was generous in her providing food and lodging to traveling believers. The aged Apostle John is instructing how to discern between the true believer and an imposter. It is love and obedience that define a true believer.

Date: 90 ad

Author: John the Apostle

Place: Ephesus

Chapter 1

1.1 author. John does not identify himself as the author. This follows his practice established in his gospel. He is confident those reading this short epistle will know who the elder is. The elect lady here is not identified by name. Apparently she was also well known and needed no name mentioned to distinguish her. Her fame and reputation had gone throughout the community of believers of the first century.

1.2 truth. As in his other epistles, there is a priority on truth in all John’s writings. Truth is the signal identifier of true believers. It is the trademark of Christianity. This letter is written for the truth’s sake. 

1.3 blessing. It was common practice for an Apostle to give blessings upon the believer. Here John offers grace, mercy, peace to the believers. This practice is well documented in New Testament history. We see this in writings of the Apostle Paul in particular.

1.4 rejoiced. John rejoiced (happy, cheerful) greatly (exceedingly) when he saw the false teachers circulating though the fellowship of believers had not had influence on this lady or her children. It gave the aged Apostle great joy to know the formula for successful Christian living was working. Obedience, love, and intent were producing the correct result in her life and in the lives of her children. No doubt this thrilled John and gave assurance the gospel would indeed triumph over false insurgents of the faith. What a feeling of contentment must have surged through John at this confirmation of the power of the gospel. Walking in truth is a Jewish idiom for living in truth. This lady and her children were living epistles, known and read of all men. This was a living example of the gospel enduring attack and being victorious. John may have mused over the day Jesus said the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church. John was watching this statement come true through this lady and her children. John had given his life for this gospel and it caused great rejoicing to see it triumph over the leaven of false doctrine.

1.5 love. John was assured of her victory, so he now returns to the commandment he had preached for so many years. John was in his late eighties or nineties at the time of this writing. He lived in Ephesus and had to be carried to the church on a litter. He was known for waving from the litter and speaking the phrase love one another. John speaks of love almost as much as all the other gospel writers combined. John knew love would overcome any obstacle. He lovingly reminds the elect lady that love is the primary Christian commandment.

1.6 walk. John reminds the elect lady and his readers of this epistle, that love is active. Love produces action in our lives. When we love God we walk in His commandments. This is the evidence of love, how we live and how we walk. Jesus had taught this principal many times, Jn 14.15, 21, 23, 24, 15.10, 14.

1.7 deceivers. John again declares warnings about Gnostics and pseudo-Christians who are deceivers (roving impostors). These impostors claimed Jesus never came in the flesh. This attack on the incarnation of Christ was an attack at the very foundation of Christianity. John declares this is the spirit of antichrist.

1.8 reward. This is an important verse. John shows the concern that things can be lost through time. John wanted the next generation of believers to not lose anything in transition. It was obvious many changes had occurred in the last half century and John is advocating for every generation to receive full reward (wages).

1.9 transgression. John returns to central themes he has recorded in 1 John, which was written at the same time. The consensus is your life proves who you are. If sin is dominant and you do not abide (remain), you do not have God in you. The Christian life is more than words, it is action. True religion causes people to live right and proves their inner experience with God. This theme is prominent in all three of John’s later day epistles.

1.10 doctrine. The qualifier was the doctrine. It was not about status or finance or popularity. John boldly instructed her to refuse lodging and food to any who did not bring this doctrine. This may seem harsh at first glance, but when the final conclusion is eternal life is at stake, this seems a rational measure. 

1.11 partaker. This is a challenging concept. To be a partaker is to share in their purpose and success. To bid means to have discourse, an extended harangue. It appears John is aligning himself with other New Testament teachings to not indulge in questions and discussion with these false teachers. They are not to be treated as harmless. They are to be dissed and ignored. There doctrine is leaven to the truth of the gospel and future generations must have the pure doctrine passed to them. Paul went so far as to say let them be accursed, Gal 1.8-9.

1.12-13 papyrus. John is writing on papyrus, a writing material made from reeds. He instructs he has many things to communicate but would rather speak to them face to face. The times demanded the apostle be vigilant and unceasing in his defense of the gospel. His voice was the last vestment of original Apostolic instruction. Soon the audible voices would be silent. The New Testament era would close and be forever handed to the eternal. His writings will never lose their voice and give us guidance today as they did in AD 90.

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5.1believe. The New Testament is clear on what it means to believe. Believing brings action. It is never passive, but it is always active. To believe on Jesus Christ brings action. It means repenting, being baptized and receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2, 8, 10, and 19). When a person has biblically believed by being born again of water and spirit (Jn 3.1-7), he is born of God.

5.2-3 love. Love is also an active entity. John exhorts that when we love God we do something. Love produces action. We keep His commandments. This is the love of God that we keep His commandments. His commandments are not grievous (burdensome). Love and obedience are inseparable.

5.4-5 overcome. Jesus Christ overcame the world. When someone is born of God they also overcome (subdue) the world. This is the natural process of believing. It should be natural for a child of God to overcome the world. Believing produces victory through obedience.

5.6-8 witness. John is presenting his witness for Jesus Christ. He presents water and blood as sure witnesses. He declares there are three that bear record in heaven, and these witnesses are sure. He declares The witnesses on earth as well. Heaven and earth, the water and the blood all agree Jesus Christ is the savior of the world.

5.9-10 ibid. The witnesses John presented are true. The witness of men is true, the witness of God is greater. God himself witnesses of Jesus Christ. There is no more powerful voice of truth than the Father himself. The Gnostics had no witnesses for their damnable doctrine. John presents witnesses from heaven and earth, and then the star witness, God himself. If this array of witnesses is not believed, that person is a liar. To deny the biblical witness of Christ is to reject God himself.

5.11-12 life. This is the record. God hath given us eternal life and that life is in Jesus Christ. The simple fact is if you have Jesus Christ you have life. If you do not have the Son of God you do not have life. Your believing requires action to be valid.

5.13-15 name. The assurance of a believer is not based on feeling, but on the principals of God’s Word. These principals include obedience, believing, and loving the brethren. These things bring an inner witness of the Spirit of God. It is this assurance that leads to confidence in prayer. We know we have the petitions we ask of God.

5.16-21 sin. These final words are written to encourage the believers about what John has written in this epistle. The sin unto death is not believing in Jesus Christ. Anyone not believing in Jesus Christ will be lost. The sin not unto death are sins that do not mark deliberate and persistent rebellion against God. All believers must use caution to not fall into these sins. These sins are not apostasy from biblical truth or failure to trust in Christ. Living in faith and obedience puts the believer beyond the touch of Satan. John issues a final note of assurance. We are of God and the whole world lieth in wickedness. Believers have believed in the true God, Jesus Christ. The final charge is to keep yourself from idols. The love and devotion of believers is to be toward Jesus Christ only. Any other love equates to worshipping idols.

Thanks for reading today….

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Chapter 4

4.1-3 spirits. John continues to expound on the source of sin and evil. The results were easily seen in the attacks the church were experiencing. By revealing the source of the evil as spirits, the battle can be engaged and won. To battle the actions without cutting off the intent will only prolong the carnage. The source of sin and evil is spiritual. The test of what spirit is at the root of any action is, does that spirit confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh? This is a direct attack on the spirit of Gnosticism. John singles out the spirit of Gnosticism as the spirit of antichrist.

4.3-6 spirt of truth and error. John clearly points out both truth and error are fueled by spirits. It is the intent behind each of these spirits that reveal their source. True believers have the spirit of Jesus Christ while false believers have the spirit of antichrist. Possibly there was some frustration that these false believers were not hearing John’s admonitions. He again raises the intent issue. If their intent is to hear truth they will hear him. If their intent is wrong they will not hear him. The spirit of truth and the spirit of error are defined by the intent of the believer. If a believer hears John’s instruction, then they are of the spirit of truth. If they discard John’s instruction, they are of the spirit of error. John’s style of contrasting two ideas is bold and decisive and leaves no room for gray, obscure areas. They are plain words but they are easily understood.

4.7-11 love. The outward demonstration of love shows the believer has the same intent as Jesus Christ. If love is not manifest from the heart of the believer, the believer does not know God. The mark of loving your neighbor as yourself grows out of being born of God. If a person does not love, they do not know God. God showed His intent by love. God so loved the world he gave His only begotten Son. Love gives so others are bettered. Because God loved, God gave, because God gave, we live. Love is not proved because we love God. Love is proved because God loved us. This is the pattern for the believer. Love others. Do not wait until they love you. Follow the intent of God by loving others first. We ought (to be under obligation, to owe), also to love one another.

4.12-14 love in action. The action of love shows the world the God they cannot see. No man hath seen God, but men can see the intent of God through acts of love to other people. Love is a language all it’s own. Love needs no words. Love needs no interpretation. Love never needs explaining. Love is the purest example of God man can display. God loved us. We see this by His sacrifice of His son. To love one another is to perfect the love of God in ourself.

4.15-19. perfect love. To confess (to assent, to covenant) that Jesus is the son of God proves the believer is of God. The inner intent reveals the action. The believer follows the pattern and example God sets of love others first. This is to dwell in God, for God is love. He that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God. The simplicity of this is profound. Countless people have sought to know how to dwell in God. The answer is simple yet profound. John uses simple words to reveal this profound truth. To dwell in God, love others. This is when love is made perfect and God lives in the believer. This intent produces boldness (confidence) in the day of judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world. The pattern is set. We love Him because He first loved us. We must love first, and never wait for others to love us first. The epitome of hypocrisy is the claim to love God while withholding love from others. 

4.20-21 hate. John closes this line of thought with a final contrast to illuminate true love. John holds up hate. The image is stark and ugly. Coming on the heels of the last illumination of true love and the power of God’s love, hate is revealed as the scourge it is. Into the light of brilliant love and hope, John holds up the antithesis and the image is etched forever in the mind of the believer. This moment ties all of love together. To love is to be of God. To hate is to be a liar. Love and hate, light and darkness, truth and liar, the seen and the unseen, the intent and the action, the illumination is stellar.

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Chapter 3

3.1-2 bestowed. When a person is born again that process of sonship continues. This is a prolonged form of the verb here meaning bestowed. Believers are the sons of God and continue to be without interruption. John reaffirms believers are now the sons of God and we will follow Christ’s pattern when Christ returns. Believers will become what Christ is. All true believers are in the process of becoming like Christ. This comes from abiding in Christ as John referred to in the previous chapter. Why God should have made us His children is incomprehensible. It shows forth the riches of His grace. John says behold, calling attention as to some wonderful exhibition. What surpassing excellence is this divine love. It is this divine love that will transform believers into the similitude of Christ at Christ’s return.

3.3 purifieth. To purify is to make clean. If the believer will make himself clean, God’s love will bestow divine purity on the believer.

3.4-6 sin. John turns from divine purity and divine love to the consequence of sin. Jesus was manifested to take away sin. The commission of sin denies Christ the purpose of His mission on earth. The believer who abides in Christ does not sin, for light and darkness, good and evil cannot coexist. To abide in Christ is to be the vine while he is the branch. Life comes from him. Sin is the admission that the believer is false and has not experienced Christ as the branch. Christ the branch provides light, life, grace, holiness, wisdom, strength, joy, peace and comfort.

3.7-8 the devil. John strongly states the cause and effect of sin. Sin is of the devil. Christ came to destroy the works of the devil. Actions and manner of living prove allegiance. Those who sin declare an allegiance to the devil. Those who live righteous lives declare allegiance to Christ.

3.9-10 manifest. John does not teach sinless perfection. John is speaking of habitual and known sinful acts. A true believer will conform his character to Christ, this will be reflected in his behavior. Actions declare who is a child of God and who is a child of the devil. Who a believer imitates, whose will the believer does, these declare who the father is.

3.11-12 love. The chiefest action of proof is love toward one another. John again illustrates by the contrast. To illustrate true love he holds up the opposite, Cain. Cain’s actions revealed who his father was. Cain was of that wicked one, the devil. Cain showed the disposition and influence of the devil when he killed his brother.
3.13-15 contrast. John again contrasts the opposites of love and hate. John uses this technique more effectively than any Bible author. He uses life and death to show the polar opposites of love and hate. He likens hate to murder and the absence of eternal life. This is classic John. Simple, direct words speaking profound meanings. This is a powerful passage to show disposition is more important than the act itself. Without the rancor, the act would never happen. John is reaching for the fountain head of sin rather than just the acts of committed sin.

3.16-18 intent. John presents the example of Jesus giving His life. This was the intent of God before the foundation of the world. If a believer will have the correct intent, the correct actions will flow as a natural effect. We are admonished to love and have compassion. If these are matters of intent before we encounter the needs of others, our actions will reflect the love of God. If intent is absent, then our actions may be sensual or carnal. Prayer and fasting prepare us to have Christian intent. Jesus prepared himself for forty days and nights before beginning his actions of ministry. This time of wilderness preparation postured Jesus to always act correctly. Our deeds reveal the intent of our heart.

3.19-24 hearts. Our intent produces the actions that assure us before God. Right actions reveal truth on the inside. When our heart does not condemn (find fault with) us, we have confidence (assurance) toward God. Condemnation is always about self. Our confidence toward God rests in following the two greatest commandments of loving God, and loving our fellow man. Our confidence is strong when we ask things of God because we are absent of self motive. Our intent is pure. Doing whatever God wants us to do is easy and helping others becomes a joy. If you have the right intent, submission to God is never an issue.

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